E-government agency shows off online projects in Chonburi

Thailand’s slow push to raze the mountains of paperwork that have long defined government bureaucracy rolled into Chonburi as the Electronic Government Agency brought it’s “e-government road show” to the province.

Deputy Gov. Pongsak Preechawit presided over the May 21 seminar at the Chol Inter Hotel where the EGA outlined its services and potential.

The EGA has been tasked with turning paper into electronic documents then connecting and integrating government agencies so information can be accessible both by bureaucrats and the public. The initiative has been dubbed the “G-Cloud” for its ability to have documents available in cyberspace for all to access.

Deputy Gov. Pongsak Preechawit (left) listens to EGA Director Airda Luangwilai explain how to upload government documents to the Internet.

EGA Director Airda Luangwilai said projects include establishing electronic-document systems, digital document-management systems, a system to allow complaints from the public and online bulletin boards.

The EGA is making presentations in four provinces to introduce their services and create awareness of the importance of agency integration.

Pongsak said Chonburi needs to shift its services to an “e-government” model with corresponding electronic office systems.

To date, the province has taken only tiny steps, such as allowing the public to send messages and complaints to the governor’s office online. Since 2011, nearly 6,400 comments have been submitted and reviewed by the province, he said.